Kaarel Kurismaa

1939– · Estonian artist (born 1939)
Dr. Fr. R. Kreutzwaldi Memoriaalmuuseum; Eesti Kunstimuuseum; Haus Galerii; Tartu Kunstimuuseum; Temnikova & Kasela

trained at Estonian Academy of Arts · trained at Tartu Art School

With Humour, the Absurd and Seriousness I Emerged. Bop and Bop! – Interview With Kaarel Kurismaa.Kaarel Kurismaa (1939) is one of the founders of Estonian sound and kinetic art. In his artworks Kurismaa brings together movement, light, sound and form, both in monumental and smaller objects. His original approach and artistic expression were recognised early in his career – he was involved in two pioneering avant-garde group exhibitions in Estonia, “SOUP ’69” and “Harku ’75”. Kurismaa's early art machines reused examples of Soviet industrial design by factories such as Salvo, Estoplast and Norma. One of his best known works, the three giant megaphone sculpture titled “Dripping Sounds” (1975, Art Museum of Estonia) is inspired by the round forms of industrial design of the 1960s and images of mass culture, which can be seen as a reference to pop culture. Kurismaa uses seemingly simple imagery, constructing streamlined pulsating and sound-emitting kinetic devices from found objects. His bright-coloured works often feature mythological creatures, like “Leprechaun” (1974), “Dwarf Altar” (1973) and “Amor Column” (1973). Since it was not easy to participate in official art exhibitions in the Soviet Union, Kurismaa looked for an alternative creative outlet and joined the prog-rock group Mess, performing in 1975 and 1976 at the assembly hall of the Tallinn Polytechnic Institute. After the 1970s wave of avant-garde receded, Kurismaa worked as a film director at studios Eesti Joonisfilm and Nukufilm, painted, and created notable public sculptures. Of the latter, “Kinetic Object” for restaurant Gloria (1987), the stained glass series “Rhythm of Light” for Paide Cultural Centre and “Tallinn Tram Object” (1993) have survived to this day. However, many of his well-known works have perished, among them “Kinetic Object” (1980, with Härmo Härm and Rait Prääts, dismantled 2002) at the Tallinn Post Office, “Object” (1981, removed 2000) for the electrical company Põhja Kõrgepingevõrgud, “Column of Light” (1986) near the entrance of Tabasalu Secondary School.

1 auction lots · 1 sold · 2023 · €4,200 — as the auction houses published them; not a valuation

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Browse 77 works in the catalogue →

Teachers, pupils, circle

Circle: SOUP '69

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A Current
1975 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaSketch for V.Kuik movie "Love Battlefields"
1984 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaUntitled/Tondo
1997 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaUntitled
1967 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaGreen Wind (Mobile I)
1986 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaA Growler
1993 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaA Ringing Grey
2008 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaIce Run
2009 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaA Timer
2013 · shown at Temnikova & KaselaLight Object 134B
2023 · shown at Temnikova & Kasela

11 works with a picture; the first 10 here, all in the catalogue. Pictures for public-domain works, live gallery listings and the works galleries and artists show on their own pages, from those servers.

Similar artists — same period, media and subjects: Tiit Pääsuke · Jaak Adamson · Enn Tegova · Edgar Viies · Ilmar Malin · Jüri Kask

Also trained at Tartu Art School: Valdur Ohakas · Johannes Uiga · Agu Peerna · Varmo Pirk · Enno Ootsing

Also trained at Estonian Academy of Arts: Eduard Wiiralt · Evald Okas · Andrus Johani · Johann Naha · Leonhard Lapin

By decade: 1960s · 1970s · 1980s · 1990s · 2000s · 2010s · 2020s
By medium: Sculpture · Other · Painting · Installation · Drawing · Mixed media
Where the works are: Dr Fr. R. Kreutzwald Memorial Museum · Art Museum of Estonia · Tartu Art Museum

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Museum records from MuIS and the EKM Digital Collection; gallery stock from the galleries' own catalogues; auction results as Haus Galerii, Vernissage, Allee galerii, Vaal galerii, E-Kunstisalong, Eesti Kunsti Oksjonid and Kunstikoda published them, and the lots Osta Noort Kunsti offered (it publishes no results). Full catalogue · Corrections, removals, questions: info@museaal.ee · Privacy